Biblical Studies (Old & New Testament)

PRELIMS
BIBLE
• from the greek word "Biblios" which means "the book"
• It is the book of all books
• Two major divisions
1. Old Testament - 27 books
2. New Testament - 39 books
• No specific authors but they are the people of God being guided by the holy spirit.

• Right Attitudes T-R-D-E-R-D

1. Trust - the writings in the bible gives us assurance on why we should trust God. John 3:16
2. Reverence - the message comes from somebody else who we respect
3. Dependence - in a way that He put our confidence that serves us guide that we can follow
wherein we are being directed unto what we perform. We depend on the truthfulness. By the
facts and experiences and authenticity of the writing in the bible.
4. Expectancy - just like prophecies which are warnings. There are certain writings wherein we
are being warned. Ex. Prov 22:6
5. Receptivity - writings in the bible will teach us to accept all the happenings in life. It gives
us humility and humbleness to accept that we do really make mistakes but we should be
receptive in order for us to survive and go on with our lives. Ex. Prodigal Son
6. Desire - there are writings that will guide us into our own desires in life.

• Characteristics/Nature of the Bible

L-A-P-M-L-L-P
1. Living Word of God - It tells us who God is. God emphasizes that He should be the only God
whom we should worship and give our adoration.
2. Affirmation of Faith - Writings in the bible serves us the affirmation of our faith. It shows
evidences of the people who beleive in God. It proves that those who believe and surrender in
God will have an eternal life.
3. Protest Writing (Prophecy) - those are the prophecies and warnings.
4. Minority Report - Only those who truly knows God will love to read the bible. There are only
several people who are interested with the bible.
5. Library - it is a Book of Books
6. Language of Relationship - tells about your relationship with God. There are so many stories
in the bible that tells different relationships with God.
7. Product of Life Experience and Faith - the bible tells us stories of people who have faith in
God.

• Stages of Development of the Bible

1. Oral tradition - word of mouth, stories of those who had experience with God (Hebrew
People, the time of Abraham)
2. Written tradition - scrolls (papyrus paper), tablets of stones, (Israelites)
3. Canonization - putting into order according to genres
4. Translation - 1st translation was the Roman Catholic Bible
• Sections of the Bible
Old Testament
1. Law Books - Pentateuch (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy)
2. Historical Books - Joshua - Esther
3. Poetical Books - Job - Songs of Songs/ Solomon
4. Books of Prophecy - Major Prophets (Isaiah - Daniel) & Minor Prophets ( Hosea - Malachi)
5. Books of Apocalypse
New Testament
1. Historical Books - Gospels (Matthew - John) ; Acts
2. Epistles/Letters (communication) - Paulinian Letters (Romans - Philemon) & General Letters
(Hebrews - Jude)
3. Book of Revelation - foretelling of the future
4. Historical books - Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Acts

HISTORICAL ERA OF THE BIBLE

• Patriarchal Era - "patriarch" means "father/leader/chief/master/guide" ; also known as the
father rule era/period. It was the time when God called Moises to the Mt. Sinai and gave the
10 commandments.
A patriarch was man who was the leader of a family and its related social groupings. A patriarch
was usually the oldest male member of a family or tribe. This time period is so named because
God communicated directly with the heads of families. Some examples are Adam, Noah,
Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, etc. This time period extended from the creation of the world until the
time of Moses.

Exodus - departure or going out. He will be able to give their need and blessed them.
• Patriarchs:
Abraham (father of all nations)
Isaac (sacrificial son)
Jacob ( "Israel" ) - his 12 sons were the original tribes of Israel
Moses & Aaron (his older brother)

• Mosaic Era - National Era; from "Moises" The creation of the 12 tribes of Jacob. This era was
attributed to Moises because it is the time when Moises became the instrument of God in
communicating with the people. This era started from giving the 10 commandments for the
2nd time to the resurrection of Jesus.

This age is named for the prophet Moses because God's dealings with mankind changed
significantly during Moses' lifetime. God, through Moses, established His covenant or contract
with the descendants of the patriarch Abraham. Abraham's offspring later came to be known
as the Israelites but were also referred to as Hebrews or Jews. During this age, God mainly
spoke to people through prophets. A prophet is a person selected by God to communicate His
message to the intended audience. Most people think of a prophet as someone who predicts
the future. Sometimes God foretold the future through His prophets, but usually God used the
prophets to instruct and admonish the people. He also communicated warnings through the
prophets when the people were behaving sinfully. A few of the prophets were Moses, Jeremiah,
Isaiah, Daniel and many others. This period extended from the time of Moses until the time of
Jesus.

• Christian Era
This age is named in honor of Jesus the Christ. The word Christ is actually a word that is used
as a title referring to Jesus and is not a name. The word Christ means "anointed". Jesus Himself
was the fulfillment and culmination of God's contract with the Jewish people. Since the first
covenant was completed, Jesus established a new contract with those who would become His
followers. All those who are now or ever have been faithful disciples of Jesus enjoy and partake
of the promises of the New Covenant. The Christian age began in the time of Jesus and will be in
effect until the end of the world.

MIDTERMS

• Sections of the Bible

Old Testament
1. Law Books - Pentateuch (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy) - from the
word "Pentateuchos", "five volume/scroll of the law books" ' from the book of Genesis, God
had already gave us the laws for example is the 10 commandments. These books contains
the many laws of God about his creation given to the people. Genesis means beginning.
Exodus means the departure. Leviticus pertains to the Levis (one of the tribes of Jacob), the
chosen people who are to serve the temples/tabernacles.
2. Historical Books - Joshua - Esther
3. Poetical Books - Job - Songs of Songs/ Solomon
4. Books of Prophecy - Major Prophets (Isaiah - Daniel) & Minor Prophets ( Hosea - Malachi)
5. Books of Apocalypse
New Testament
1. Historical Books - Gospels (Matthew - John) ; Acts
2. Epistles/Letters (communication) - Paulinian Letters (Romans - Philemon) & General Letters
(Hebrews - Jude)
3. Book of Revelation - foretelling of the future
4. Historical books - Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Acts

Last modified: Sep 30, 2019